"From the Golem to Ben Grimm and more, comic book art historian Arlen Schumer (author/designer, The Silver Age of Comic Book Art, Archway Publishing) surveys the Jewish influence on the creation and development of the American superhero, its antecedents in ancient, Biblical stories and myths, and the significant contributions Jews have made to the evolution of comic book art in the 20th and 21st Centuries.”

From Mitch Hallock, Promoter/Producer of CT Comicon: "Please join me in welcoming artist/author/comic historian Arlen Schumer who will be appearing at our show on August 14-16 at the Mohegan Sun.Not only will Arlen be doing lectures every day (FRI - 5:30 - The Silver Age of Comic Book Art, SAT - 1:30 - The Super Type of Ira Schnapp, SUN - 1:30 - The 75th Anniversary of Will Eisner’s The Spirit), he has also provided artwork for an exclusive print available in the VIP package as well as art or the program. cover! So see the man in action at his lectures, at his booth where you can get a copy of his book The Silver Age of Comic Book Art and own a piece of his art!”

One of my favorite panels was Arlen Schumer's panel on Ira Schnapp, who created many of the logos for DC. Arlen did a beautiful job with what could have been an esoteric subject bringing it down to earth and connecting it to what we love about the visual aspects of comics. I'll never look at a comic book the same. Thank you Arlen. Great panel!

Getting schooled on the man who hand designed almost all of DC’s silver age logos by Arlen Schumer. Schnapp also designed the DC house ads and letters on a lot of public buildings in NYC, as well as the Comics Code seal. This was a real eye-opening lecture delivered with Schumer’s signature enthusiasm that revealed a lot of information about an unfortunately little known man who played a key role in the Silver Age of comics. I’m really happy that I attended this panel and would heartily recommend that anyone hear Schumer speak whenever they get a chance. He has a passion for what he talks about and mixes entertainment with learning wrapped in a really eye-pleasing package that keeps the audiences attention from start to finish. Schumer had a whole section on DC’s house ads that was really an eye-opener. I know I’m going to be paying closer attention to these gems the next time I crack open a DC back issue from the 1960s.

Just got back from SDCC where I saw, among other interesting things, Arlen Schumer's great lecture on Ira Schnapp and his contribution to the look and ambiance of DC comics in the Silver Age.
Folks, this kind of scholarship that connects comic art with wider trends in fine art and culture - best embodied in Arlen's Silver Age of Comic Book Art book - is what will keep the Silver Age we love relevant and VALUABLE to future generations of fans. It's great to appreciate the stories in the context of our own personal lives ("I remember when that book came out!"), or within the narrow scope of comics history, but just about every comic fan under 40 no longer has the interest or attachment to this material that we do, and sooner or later that will be reflected in the market value of the books and art.
One good reason for the culture to pay attention is because of the influence that comic artists like Kirby, Infantino and Steranko have had on graphic design, down to the present day. Arlen is one of the very few people informed and passionate enough to make the case, and he's doing it in the face of an art world that is still largely ignorant or indifferent to the talents of these geniuses.
The best way to make sure this kind of scholarship gains traction is to make it successful: that is, BUY ARLEN'S BOOK and talk it up to your friends! No one can afford to do this caliber of work for free, and if we don't support work like his, who will? Plus, if you call yourself a fan of Silver Age art, this work belongs on your shelf. This isn't a plug for Arlen: it's a plug for us, the stuff we love, and a rare opportunity to influence the wider conversation.

Would you believe the artist who designed in Roman letters the motto engraved atop New York City’s Penn Station post office, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night…,” is the same man who designed the iconic Superman logo? Both are the works of Ira Schnapp (1892-1969), a descendant of stonecutters and hand-letterer who defined the “house style” of DC Comics for over 30 years, starting with the Action Comics logo in 1938, and continuing with scores of famous logos for the company, as well as hundreds of house ads that are among some of the greatest examples of hand-lettering in the 20th Century! Yet, despite all these ubiquitous works, Schnapp’s name and legacy are unknown and forgotten. But comic book historian Arlen Schumer (The Silver Age of Comic Book Art, www.arlenschumer.com) aims to change that with this presentation, based on the Schnapp exhibit he curated and designed for the Type Directors Club of New York (http://13thdimension.com/review-arlen-schumers-outstanding-ira-schnapp-exhibit/), running until 9/25/15.

"Comic book art historian Arlen Schumer’s presentation based on his book, The Silver Age of Comic Book Art, explores the origins of the American superhero and its personification of American ideals and values, and how these attitudes and portrayals changed during the turbulent 1960s. The works of the 8 artists in the book are highlighted—Carmine Infantino, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Joe Kubert, Gene Colan, Jim Steranko and Neal Adams—and the characters they drew, from establishment superheroes like The Flash, The Atom and Green Lantern, to counterculture super-antiheroes like Spider-Man, Dr. Strange and Green Arrow. You'll not only see where Hollywood's love affair with superhero movies comes from—but because Schumer projects comic book panels and pages in a way that graphically communicates the sequential nature of comic book art itself—you'll see comics like you've never seen them before!”